Course Overview

An introduction to yacht terminology and the deck skills required to work as a yacht steward / stewardess. This course covers the fundamentals of sailing a moderate size cruising yacht and by the end of the course you should have the confidence and ability to keep a lookout, handle sails, steer, row a dinghy and assist in all other day-to-day activities. During the course you will cover approximately 100 miles, plus 4 night hours on watch.

Pre-requisite experience: none
Duration: 5 Days

Qualifications:

RYA Competent Crew Certificate

Syllabus

Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails

• Sufficient knowledge to understand orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat

Sail handling

• Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails

• Use of sheets and halyards and their associated bollards

Ropework

• Handling ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards

• Handling warps

• Ability to tie the following knots and to understand their correct use; figure of eight, clove hitch, rolling hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, single and double sheet bend, reef knot

Fenders

• Learn the various ways of tying them on

• Different knots including quick release

• The use of a 'wandering fender'

Fire precautions and fighting

• Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire

• Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of a fire

Personal safety equipment

• Understand and comply with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, lifejackets and personal buoyancy aids

Man overboard

• Understand the action to be taken to recover a man overboard

Emergency equipment

• Operate distress flares and know when they should be used

• Understand how to launch and board a liferaft

Manners and customs

• Understand accepted practice with regard to; the use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbance in harbour including courtesies to other berthed craft

• Awareness of the responsibility of yacht skippers to protect the environment

Rules of the road

• Ability to keep a lookout at sea

Dinghies

• Understand and comply with loading rules

• Ability to handle a dinghy under oars

Meteorology

• Awareness of forecasting services and knowledge of the Beaufort scale

Seasickness

• What is it?

• Tell-tale signs

• How to avoid it

• How to overcome it when you are suffering

• How to care for others effectively

Helmsmanship

• Understand the basic principles of sailing and steer and trim sails on all points of sail

• Steer a compass course, under sail and power

General Duties

• Carry out general duties satisfactorily on and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel